Africa CDC Announces Pooled Medicines Procurement

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative during the recently concluded 37th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. This initiative involves the establishment of a pooled African medicines procurement mechanism aimed at ushering in a new era of predictable demand for African manufacturers. According to a press release issued by the CDC on Monday, the mechanism seeks to empower manufacturers by providing them with a platform to plan for the long term, ultimately fostering a robust market valued at over $50 billion.

Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, emphasised the significance of this decision, stating, “The decision means the creation of a robust market for manufacturers and ensures the health security of all Africans. This will be the second independence of Africa.”

The African market for medicines and vaccines, estimated at approximately $50 billion annually, will be the focal point of Africa CDC’s efforts as it spearheads the pooled procurement initiative in collaboration with continental and global partners. The initiative not only aims to secure better pricing deals for African Union member states but also to bolster local manufacturing capabilities.

In a parallel development, the African Union has expanded the mandate of Africa CDC to encompass the manufacturing of medicines and diagnostics, alongside its existing focus on vaccines. This strategic decision underscores the continent’s commitment to enhancing its health infrastructure and fostering self-reliance in the production of essential medical products.

Furthermore, the AU has appointed H.E. President William Ruto of Kenya as the local manufacturing champion to drive the continent towards achieving vaccine self-reliance. This appointment underscores the importance of prioritising health security for the African population and keeping local manufacturing at the forefront of the continent’s agenda.

However, challenges remain, as less than one percent of vaccines are currently manufactured within Africa. To address this disparity, African leaders have set an ambitious goal of manufacturing 60% of vaccines on the continent by 2040. This aspiration aligns with Africa CDC’s efforts to leverage collaborations and strike deals with the pharmaceutical sector.

In addition to the pooled procurement mechanism, the rapid establishment of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) remains critical. The AMA is poised to play a pivotal role in streamlining regulatory frameworks across the continent, thereby enhancing the capacity of governments to approve and monitor vaccines, medicines, and health technologies in a timely manner.

While progress has been made, with 27 countries having ratified the AMA treaty, there is a call for expedited ratification by all 55 African Union member states to fully operationalize the agency and unlock its potential benefits.

The decisions made at the 37th AU Summit represent significant strides towards enhancing Africa’s health security and fostering self-reliance in medical product manufacturing. By leveraging partnerships, expanding mandates, and advocating for regulatory harmonisation, African leaders are paving the way for a brighter and healthier future for all Africans.